[HeroOfCanton]

I think the judge had access to more facts in this case than we do reading a report from The Advertiser!

I am glad our judges have the opportunity to use their discretion in cases like this.

Exactly what Sorceress said.

While I dont think what the father did was right in any way, I think that the mother walking out on her helpless baby after such a terrible event is more deplorable than what the father did.

[adl]

Actually there was more to it, the father admitted what he had done was so very wrong, etc so he had the remorse, he has also been there for the child and there were reports re rehabilitation and counselling etc...

Not that I am excusing his original behaviour in any way...

and in the past three years has been there for the little boy who has been abandoned by his mother.. so what the court was saying is that if they jailed him, this child would lose his father, who is being there for the child and doing right thing now...and the child would be further punished..

Remember our system is not all about punishment but rehabilitation and this was what was best for the child who is cared for by the grandparents..its not like he is unsupervised..amd not under the watchful eye of authorities

the news report was of course sensational and not all the facts

This post has been edited by adl: 29/07/2010, 06:24 AM

[Guest_The 7 Dwarfs_*]

I originally thought that the father was now the carer of the child. In my eyes, having to care for such a high needs child for the rest of the childs life or at least until adulthood would be the perfect 'punishment' as opposed to going to jail and living off taxpayers for 3 years. He should have been made to be the sole carer of William with strict welfare conditions placed on him, which if he broke would not only go to jail for the 3 years suspended, but extra for breaking a legal agreement.

I think the fact his parents are caring for him is an absolute cop out, although good on them for doing so.

I think that the mother walking out on her helpless baby after such a terrible event is more deplorable than what the father did.

I don't. Looking after a high needs child is an extremely difficult life, one which many parents choose not to take on with the support of most of society. Why do you think the NT scan became so popular and why do you think there are so many SN kids needing to be adopted / fostered? Add onto that the fact it wasn't an illness, medical condition or accident, but a deliberate act of violence from his father. Not what I think I'd do, but I don't blame her one bit.

This post has been edited by The 7 Dwarfs: 29/07/2010, 06:49 AM

[ForsakenTruth]

So sad and so wrong on so many levels.

[**Whitedove**]

What we often look at is the end results.

What might be a better idea is to make sure parents are prepared for parenthood before they even conceive.

No one tells expectant parents how difficult it is to raise children and babies are not all cooing smiling little darlings and not everyone is the right person to raise children. It is the hardest job in the world as the "job" is a living breathing human being.

I wish all parents before they even thought aobut having a child had some type of intensive training.

I did read the article, I was appalled about what happened but I don't know all the details.

[hayleymumof3]

Unfortunately this isn't the first or last time something like this has happened. A couple of years ago an man who shook his baby girl so violently that it caused permanent brain damage to the extent that she will need a carer for the rest of her life walked free, because the courts thought it would be better for him to continue on being her carer as he had been since the incident.


Oh and he was really really sorry he did it too

[AmityD]

Thanks for the extra facts Adl. I agree completely that rehabilitation is the best thing for someone like this, but surely there has to be some jail time for causing such devastating injuries. I also agree with the person who said how crazy it was that it took three years to come before the courts, but that's a problem with our entire system.

Whitedove, I also agree that we need more parenting support and education. I'm sure we'd all say it's the hardest job in the world yet you're expected to figure out how to do it all on your own. There are plenty of these type of programs out there, but unfortuntately it's getting those parents who need the help to actually do them.

[ikeaqueen]

the news report was of course sensational and not all the facts

What would you like to see done as 'punishment'?

What would sending him to jail achieve?

I actually really feel for the entire family.

[Bel Rowley]

I think the judge had access to more facts in this case than we do reading a report from The Advertiser!

I am glad our judges have the opportunity to use their discretion in cases like this.

Exactly.

It's my understanding from what I have read about this case previously that the judge is hoping this way the child will have contact with at least one of his parents. I don't think anyone would condone what the father has done, but it's a sad fact that he is not the first and will not be the last parent to make a terrible decision that ruins their child's life. If the father truly is remorseful and working to rectify his issues, accept rehabilitation and be a father to his son than I think he does deserve to be a part of his child's life, and the child deserves to have access to his father.

But I also believe that, no matter how bad your childhood was, if you physically harm your child to this degree you forfeit the right to be part of their life.

You might want to qualify that statement Amity, how about if you deliberately physically harm your child? Does Brendan Cannon no longer deserve to be part of his son's life after running him over?

[jackie-c]

I have seen children taken from there parents for less than this. How can a father do this? I know at times when a baby is crying it can become quite frustrating, but you need to take a step back and realise that the baby is crying for a reason.. And for his mother to be too distraught to deal with him, well there are worse situations to be in.... This child needs his mothers love and care, and I do agree that his father should be punished but also think to take him from his child now would be distressing as well...
The courts need to come up to speed with child protection, As a child advocate we are mandatory reporters of abuse towards children, and it is a big responsibility for us to ensure the children in our care are safe, so the courts must do there jobs as well to ensure this.